Thanks, Jerry. Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 28, 2020, at 10:34 AM, jerry montgomery <jmbn1@outlook.com> wrote:
Don't know about all them new-fangled restorers. if they are a coating, they might be pretty temporary. Be aware that I don't claim to know what I'm talking about here.
I've always used a big, circular polisher, and use the edge of the pad, and don't cross the strakes with it so that it won't wear away the gel on the edges. it's important that it's a regular polisher, not a grinder which turns much faster, so that heat will be minimal. Keep it moving but be aware of the dangers of heat generated by the polishing. Gelcoat is homogenous in that it's the same all the way thru, unlike some auto paints, especially LPU, where the tough shiny part goes to the surface while setting up.
3M heavy duty polishing compound is as good as anything for the first app, but you'll need to go back over with something finer and shinier. The polishing pads easiest to find no days are of foam, and they work OK, but I still like the older wool pads. Put the polishing compound on the boat; not on the pad.
The idea is to use the heavy duty to remove the outer layer of gel, then a lighter compound to shine it up.
Maybe the reason that the older gelcoats keep their shine better than the new is that the newer gels are applied much thinner than the old. Older gelcoats were applied with a thickness of about 12 mils, otherwise the gel would "creep", which means that the curing resin would etch in and soften the gel, which would then shrink as the resin went off and separate from the mold surface and crinkle up. Ugly as sin. The newer gelcoats don't seem to want to creep, and can be applied much thinner. Again, this is my opinionated opinion, and the salesmen I've talked to play dumb on the problem.
jerry
________________________________ From: montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com> on behalf of Edward Epifani <edepifani@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 9:23 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: Gel coat restoration
Wow. As always , impressed with the wealth of info from Monte owners group. Thank you. Ed
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On Dec 28, 2020, at 9:18 AM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Before using the product I gave the hull a thoro detergent and scrubbing to remove loose dirt. The product said that a light oxidation could be left in place. They were correct. Yes, as just mentioned, I think the product is now NewGlass 2. It also has a chemical stripper available to remove the old should you ever need to. Apply carefully and smoothly. Try to work off a wet edge whenever possible and work continuously to a corner or break in the hull design. Using their remover required a lot of remover and lots of clean rags. Best to get it right the first time, which is easy to do anyway.
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 11:11 AM Gail Russell <gail@zeliga.com> wrote:
How did you prep the area?
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020, 8:37 AM Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
On my 1977 Monty 17 I used a liquid polymer called NuGlass. It goes on with a chamois applicator which is a piece of gray pipe foam insulation wrapped with a piece of chamois available at Walmart. I put mine about 4" wide so one swipe of it along each plank on the Monty 17 left a complete covering for that strake. If your gelcoat needs only a bit of sanding to remove the oxidation this is the stuff to use. I applied about five coats on the hull. It dries so fast that when you finish the first coat you can start all over again with the next coat. I started from the top and worked down so any drips can be wiped up as you go down the hull. It took about 45 minutes to apply the five coats. It renders a deep shine that is hard and lasts for about three years. Then just wipe on more right over the old. There is a picture of the before and after on my boat as I did one side at a time. The MSOG photosite has my boat pictures, named AS-IS. I have waxed and buffed before and this treatment gives as good as or better results and is very quick! Full disclosure, I have no direct business contact with this particular company just a happy customer. Fair winds, Tom B
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 10:06 AM Edward Epifani <edepifani@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hey Skippers, Anyone have experience with M15-23 gelcoat restoration ? My boat previously was a Dream Boat: she sat in the sun while the owner mostly dreamed. My impression is that JM used very good technique/ materials, the damage seems minimal compared to what I’ve seen on equivalent age sun stored boats. So I’d describe the oxidation as light/moderate. I’m looking at a shurhold polish/ buffer. I’m well aware of the danger of over zealous circular polishing, seems more likely with lapstrake hull form. The Shurhold is orbital and smaller. Also would love to hear about nonskid cleaning/ restoration experience. Ed Epifani M15 ‘83, #200 something
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